Piano with electric note playing means



L. L. VON GUNTEN 3,141,368

PIANO WITH ELECTRIC NOTE PLAYING MEANS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 21, 1964Original Filed Feb. 24, 1959 FIG! IIHI finial a; F IG. 2

INVENTOR. LEE L.VON GUNTEN ATTYS.

L. L. VON GUNTEN PIANO WITH ELECTRIC NOTE PLAYING MEANS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2July 21, 1964 Original Filed Feb. 24, 1959 FIG.3

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FIG-6 LEE L. VON GUNTEN ATTYS.

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LEE L..VON GUNTEN BY ATTYS.

July 21, 1964 VON GUNTEN 3,141,368

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I922 QQWREQU QmSI m2 NQ United States Patent Ofiice 3,141,368 PatentedJuly 21, 1964 3,141,368 PIANO WITH ELECTRIC NOTE PLAYING MEANS Lee L.Von 'Gunten, 379 Broad St., Apt. 1, Tonawanda, N.Y. Original applicationFeb. 24, 1959, Ser. No. 794,902. Divided and this application Feb. 28,1962, Ser. No.

5 Claims. (Cl. 84-246) The present invention relates to pianos, andespecially to pianos having electric playing means associated therewithwhereby chords and runs can be played on the piano by the aid ofelectrically actuated members permanently built into the piano.

Heretofore there have been some efforts made to provide electricallyactuated means to provide or play chords in a piano, and examples ofsuch patents are the disclosures found in U.S. Patent No. 2,250,522 andU.S. Patent No. 2,645,968. Yet other inventors have endeavored toprovide mechanism in a piano to facilitate the playing of runs thereon,and one disclosure of such mechanism is that found in Klein Patent No.1,665,593. While such Klein patent was granted in 1928, no commercialuse of any real extent has been made of the teachings of such patentinsofar as I am aware. In all events, even though some work has beendone heretofore in the field of electrically actuated pianos, it isbelieved that such prior structures and teachings have beenobjectionable inasmuch as they have involved the use of costly controlcircuits, or cumbersome and bulky members used in association with thepiano to provide the electrical actuation of the keys on the piano, orthey have been otherwise objectionable. Furthermore, it is believed thatthe field of development relating to the electrical actuating of keys ina piano has been relatively inactive and that the closest developmentsrecently have related to electrically powered and actuated organs.

Other work has been performed recently to provide electric organs withchord playing attachments, but the application of electrical playingmeans to conventional pianos for improved and simplified action thereofhas not been satisfactorily solved, insofar as I am aware.

The general object of the present invention is to provide a novel andimproved piano having electric playing means built thereinto wherebymeans are provided in the piano for electrically playing chords and foraiding in the producing of runs on a piano in harmony with a playedchord, all without interfering with the normal manual playing orfunctioning of a given piano.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel piano that is easyto play and that does not require the player to read the notes of thebass staff and usually played by the left hand of the player.

Another object of the invention is to provide a piano which has electrickey playing means therein and which is characterized by the relativesimplicity of the controls and means present to play both chords andruns or arpeggios on the piano.

Another object of the invention is to provide electrically operatedand/or actuated means on a piano that enable a person knowing somefundamentals of music to perform substantially as well or better than anaccomplished musician can perform on a conventional piano.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a novel and uniqueharp-like sound and note sequence from a piano by use of certainmanually and electrically operated means in association therewith.

Another object of the invention is to sustain a chord on the pianoelectrically to free both hands of a person playing the piano to permittwo hand arpeggios on the piano.

Another object of the invention is to provide a relatively compact,inexpensive solenoid coil and solenoid armature on a piano by use ofstandard piano parts having a minimum of addition and/ or changethereto.

Another object of the invention is to provide an electrically actuatedpiano having individually or jointly usable chord and run playingmechanism associated therewith and where a minimum amount of wiring isprovided for the electrically actuated means in the piano.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an accordion-typemechanical chord playing keyboard in association with solenoids at thekeys of a piano for playing the keys; to provide a single contact memberthat closes a power supply for the chord playing mechanism for actuationof each and every chord controlled by the mechanism by one chord closingcontact; to provide a plurality of solenoids positioned below and spacedfrom certain keys of a piano and where such solenoids have longconnector members extending from the armatures of the solenoids topoints adjacent portions of the piano action for different keys of thepiano whereby energization of a given solenoid will result in thestriking of a given key; to provide certain solenoid armatures andsolenoid coils in immediate association with and below the piano keys onthe piano keyboard with the solenoid coil being adjustable with relationto the solenoid armature for actuation of given keys when desired; toprovide circuit controlling power supply switches directly under certainkeys of a keyboard for energizing predetermined electrical circuit meanswhen such keys are played either manually or by remotely positioned orother solenoid means provided therefor; to set up a longitudinallyaligned series of contacts adjacent certain of the piano keys wherebysuch keys can be electrically played by closing the contacts in sequencewith each other; to provide means to play runs in harmony with a givenchord played either manually or electrically on a piano and with thealigned series of contacts being included in the means and with somecontacts connecting to dead circuits whereby only desired harmonics areproduced in the run; to provide means in a piano to couple togetherseveral octaves whereby a note or chord played in a control octave hasan equivalent note or chord automatically played in another octave, oroctaves; to provide 12 leads extending longitudinally of a pianokeyboard for connecting to corresponding keys in different octaves of apiano for energization thereof for run playing purposes; to usesolenoids that are silent in action and wear proof for actuation ofpiano keys; to provide a means in the piano for holding a given chordenergized over a period of time even though the keys thereof aremanually released whereby both hands of the player playing the piano areavailable for strumming or closing the aligned contact means forproducing unusual chord, run and/ or arpeggios effects on the piano; andto provide a convenient control for changing the volume of notesproduced on the piano.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will bemade more apparent as the specification proceeds. I

Reference now is particularly directed to the accompanying drawingswherein one currently preferred embodiment of the principles of thepresent invention is shown, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan of a piano of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the piano of FIG. 1 with a portion of thecover thereon removed;

FIG. 3 is an-enlarged fragmentary plan of a portion of a keyboard of thepiano with a number of the keys in posi tion but with other keys beingremoved;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan similar to FIG. 3 but of a differentportion of the piano in the run playing section thereof;

FIGS. and 6 are fragmentary vertical sections taken on lines 5-5 of FIG.3 and 66 of FIG. 4, respectively;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary vertical section through one of the solenoidsand associated means in the chord playing section of the piano;

FIG. 8 is an elevation, partially shown in vertical section, of onechord playing button of the chord playing mechanism of the piano of FIG.1, and with all other members therein omitted;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken on line 9-9 ofFIG. 1 of the chord playing mechanism of the piano;

FIG. is a fragmentary vertical section taken on line 10-410 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a semi-schematic view of the chord playing mechanism andcontrols of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a wiring diagram of the electric control means in the pianoof the invention;

FIG. 13 is a vertical section taken on line 13-13 of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 14 is a vertical section of the chord playing mechanism with onlyone bass key shown therein and other parts all omitted.

When referring to corresponding members shown in the drawings andreferred to in the specification, corresponding numerals are used tofacilitate comparison therebetween such equivalent members.

When referring to a solenoid in the present application, the Word isbroadly used and normally means both the solenoid coil and the solenoidarmature or plunger operatively associated with the solenoid coil forproducing some desired action. When individual portions of the solenoidare meant, they will be specifically referred to as a solenoid coil, ora solenoid plunger. Also, when referring to the playing of a piano keyin this application, such playing is effected by depressing or strikingthe piano key and the word or term playing is broadly used to cover theaction of the depressing, striking, or otherwise causing a given pianokey to be sounded.

The present invention covers several combinations and sub-combinationsof means for use in combination with a piano for electrical actuation orplaying thereof and one phase of the invention relates to thecombination with a piano of a plurality of individual solenoids for eachkey of several octaves in the piano and with one octave being considereda control octave. Electric power supply means are present in thecombination, and means are provided for playing different chords on thepiano in the control octave thereof and which means are connected to thesolenoids and to the power supply means, circuit means are operativelyassociated with the keys in the control octave and connect to the powersupply means to provide power to solenoids for keys in the other octaveswhich keys represent those in harmony with an actuated key or chord inthe control octave, a plurality of power circuits individually connectto the solenoids for keys in the other octaves, and individual switchesare present in the power circuit to close them and operate only the keysin the said other octaves in harmony with a given chord even though anyor all of said individual switches may be closed. Another importantphase of the present invention relates to the combination with a pianoof means connected in parallel with the chord playing means and alsoconnected to the solenoids and to the power supply means for retainingthe keys of a played chord in the control octave depressed, and whichlast-named means include a multi-contact unitary control switch for allof the solenoids in the control octave.

Attention is particularly directed to the details of the structure shownin the drawings, and a piano embodying the principles of the inventionis illustrated as a whole by the numeral 1. The piano 1 has aconventional piano frame 2 provided therefor and any conventional numberof white keys 3 and black keys 4 may be provided in the piano 1, withthe conventional 88 key piano being illustrated. The white keys 3 andblack keys 4 and associated members form not playing means in the piano.The piano 1 has certain means associated therewith for eitherelectrically and/0r mechanically playing or for facilitating the playingof the piano by the person performing on the piano at any given time.Two general or broad types of controls are provided on the piano 1 andthey comprise a chord playing member 5 and a run or arpeggio playingunit or member 6. FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings best bring out the factthat the chord playing member 5 and run playing unit 6 are attached toand protrude only a short distance forwardly from the upper front of theframe 2 of the piano 1.

Power Supply To provide power to the piano 1 to aid in the playingthereof, conventional leads 7 and 8, FIG. 12, connect to a standard voltAC. power supply, and a control switch 9 is present in one of theseleads for control of power supply to the piano. It is desirable to userelatively low Voltages in the actuation of the piano 1 and thus atransformer 10 is connected to the leads 7 and 8 and reduced voltagepower supply is then available through secondary leads 11 and 12 of thetransformer 10. Normally it is desirable to use direct current inactuation of various solenoids used in the piano 1 of the invention andthus I have provided a conventional rectifier, such as a selenium platerectifier 13, that has the leads 11 and 12 connecting thereto.Alternating current may be used, especially if only more or lessinstantaneous actuation of the solenoids is used in the piano. Aplurality of output leads 14 and 15 extend also from the transformer 10with the voltage between the leads 12, 14 and 15 being variable so thatindividual switches 16, 17 and 18, respectively, provided in these leadscan be closed to supply voltage at a desired value to the rectifier 13.A pulsating D.C. power supply is thereby furnished from the rectifier 13by an output lead 19 extending therefrom. The variable voltage soproduced control the force of actuation exerted by a solenoid 44 on thecorresponding piano action means, such as on the whip 49 shown in FIG.7.

Chord Control Member In practice of this invention, a substantiallyconventional chord control member or mechanism 5 is provided and themechanism used is similar to those of accordions, for example, and bywhich a mechanical button or control can close power circuits topredetermined keys of a selected control octave on the piano to play orsound such selected keys as are in harmony with each other. The controloctave usually ends on the key B next to middle C of the piano. Oneconventional type of control and chord playing unit or means such ascould be used in the piano of the invention, is shown in US. Patent No.2,084,266. The chord control member 5 also preferably has buttonstherein for playing any desired bass notes, or chords in octaves lowerthan the control octave.

Some details of portions of this accordion-like chord control mechanismare best shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 and 11, and the remainder thereof is ofconventional construction. A plurality of individual control buttons 20are present and are received in and partially positioned by aperturesprovided in a cover, or plate 21 that aid in retaining the buttons 20 indesired positions for vertical movement only thereof. Each of thesebuttons 20 has a vertically downwardly extending control shaft 22extending therefrom slidably engaging a lower portion of the cover 21and with a plurality of control fingers 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27 extendingfrom such shaft 22. These control fingers, in turn, are adapted toengage with arms 28, 29, 3t), 31 and 32, respectively, as shown in FIG.8. Actual control of the keys in a control octave on the piano 1 iseffected by means of 12 bars 33 extending parallel to each other andjournalled in one portion of the chord playing member 5. Each of thesebars or rods 33 represents one musical note of the 12 musical notesforming the complete control octave on the piano 1. Each of such bars 33has a plurality of arms, like the arms 28 through 32, referred tohereinbefore, extending therefrom. These arms 28 through 32 individuallyengage different control fingers on shafts, like the shaft 22, extendingdownwardly from each of the buttons 20. Hence, for each chord,represented by one of the buttons 2t), a suitable arm or arms, like thearms 28 through 32, is secured to each one of the bars 33 representing anote to be played and extending therefrom and engageable with fingers ona shaft 22 for moving the bar 33 to which it is secured through a slightare upon pushing down any one of the buttons to play such key or keys ashereinafter described.

At longitudinally spaced portions of each of the bars 33, a control bar34, 34a, etc., see FIG. 9, is secured thereto and extends therefromsubstantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the bar 33. Each ofthese control bars 34, 34a, etc. engages a vertically extending,reciprocal rod 35, 33a, 35b, respectively, which is slidably positionedin bores at spaced but aligned portions of a support block 36. Thesupport block 36 is suitably operatively secured to the piano frame 2.The plurality of control bars 34, 34a 34b, etc. are provided forcontrolling or actuating individual keys in the control octaverepresented by the individual bars 33. FIG. 9 also shows a pair ofresilient contact arms 37 and 38, which normally are in spacedrelationship to each other at the contacts 39 provided on the free endsthereof, that form a switch 37a positioned below the support block 36with one pair of such contact arms 37 and 38, or equivalent, beingprovided for each one of the 12 bars 33 for the notes or keys in thecontrol octave. When these contact means 39 of the switch 37:: areclosed by vertically downward movement of the rod 35, 35a etc., thiscloses a circuit through such normally open contact arms to supplyelectric power to or close an electric circuit to means such assolenoids, as described hereinafter, for actual operation or sounding ofthe particular key represented by such bar 33 and associated control bar34. The rods 35, 35a etc. are each individually supported on the uppercontact arm 3'7 therefor. All of the foregoing action is secured by thetemporary depression of one of the buttons 20 so that a desired chord orkey can be struck or played on the piano. Upon release of the particularcontrol button 20, the resiliency in the contact arm 3''!" pulls it upand raises the rods and associated control bars 34 to in turn raise ormove the bar 33 connected thereto through a slight arc and position thebutton 20 previously depressed back to its normal raised, or elevatedposition.

It is a novel feature of the present invention that in the normalpositioning of the control finger 27 in relation to the arm 32, orequivalents in the chord playing member 5, which is at the lowestportion of the support shaft 22 on each of the buttons 20, such controlfinger 27 engages the arm 32 at the last portion of downward movement ofthe control button 20. Each of such arms 32 is secured to a specialcontrol bar 40 which is the last one of the bars to be moved through aslight are by movement of the one button 20 downwardly. The control bar40 is parallel to the 12 bars 33 and is journalled immediatelytherebelow. Such control bar 40 controls a unitary power control switch41 provided in a power supply lead 42 that extends from the output lead19 of the rectifier 13 to connect it to the chord playing member 5.Hence, closing this switch 41, which includes contact arms (not shown)equivalent to the contact arms 37 and 38, provides power to an internallead 43 in the chord playing member so that as the individual switches37a, or equivalent, in the chord playing member or unit are closed,power can be transmitted through the chord playing member to thesolenoid means for the control octave keys, as described hereinafter. Itshould be understood 6 that the closing of the switch. 41 at the lastportion of movement of a control button 20 previous any arcing at othercontact means in the chord playing apparatus and localizes any and allcontact arcing or flashing action in the chord playing member 5.

Furthermore, the use of the one end, or common contact for supplyingpower to all of the circuits for individual keys in the control octaveto be played in any given chord after the individual key circuits havebeen closed insures the simultaneous striking of such chord notes as aunit for most pleasant and best musical playing of the piano 1.

Chord Playing Member-Electrical Striking Action Individual solenoids foractuation of the 12 keys in at least the control octave of the piano 1are provided in association with each of such keys, and it will berealized that any desired number of keys can be controlled by the chordplaying member.

As previously indicated, a solenoid 44 indicated in FIGS. 2 and 7, isprovided for each of these keys in the control octave or bass notes ofthe piano controlled by the chord playing member. These solenoids 44 arepositioned in a plurality of vertically aligned, parallel, horizontalrows on frame means 45 suitably secured to, or forming a part of theframe 2 on the piano 1. Each of the solenoids 44 has a pair of leadsextending therefrom the connection to which will be describedhereinafter in more detail. A solenoid armature 46 is provided in eachof the solenoids and such solenoid armature 46 is slidably positioned inthe solenoid coil for reciprocation therein. Some suitable light weightconnector arm or rod, such as an aluminum rod 47, is secured to thelower end of the armature 46 and with such connector, in general, beingof J-shape and extending around forwardly of the solenoid 44 and thesupport frame 45 provided therefor up to a position adjacent a portionof the piano action means provided in the piano 1. Such piano actionmeans are indicated by a link, or sticker 48 and a whip, or link 49 thatare pivotally connected to each other and are usually made from wood, asis conventional in piano construction. The connector arm 47 preferablycarries a spring finger 5t} thereon extending normally therefrom and afelt pad 51 is provided on the upper surface of such spring finger sothat a cushioned impact is provided on the links 48 and 49 when thesolenoid 44 is energized to lift the connector 4"! vertically to strikethe link 49 by the felt pad 51 on the spring finger and cause the keycontrolled thereby to be actuated or played. The spring finger 5t) andfelt pad 51 form a link striking head, or a note striking means in thepiano. A support bar 52 is provided immediately adjacent the lowersurface of each of the spring fingers 5t) and a suitable cushion or pad53 is carried by the support bar 52 to cushion the impact of the springfinger when it and the connector arm 47 are permitted to drop down ontothe support 52 by de-energization of the solenoid 44. By verticallystaggering the solenoids 44, a solenoid can be positioned immediatelybelow a link 49 for the key to be controlled even though the solenoids44 are of relatively heavy duty, sizable construction and can be safelyenergized for extended periods without overheating. The center line ofthe solenoid 44 coincides with that of the link 48 and minimizes wear.

Certain details showing the position of the white keys 3 and black keys4 in the piano 1 in accordance with conventional piano building practiceare shown in the v drawings, such as in FIGS. 3 and 5. These figuresindicate how the keys are positioned on conventional means includingcenter pivot pins 54 and end pivot pins 55 which pivot pins 54 and guidepins 55 are adapted to seat in corresponding recesses or slots 56 and57, respectively, provided in each of the piano keys so that the keysare positioned for playing the associated conventional piano actionmeans (not shown) that engages a screw 58 secured to each of the pianokeys at the inner end thereof when the keys are individually depressedor played in the piano.

amines Run-Playing Mechanism The run playing mechanism or unit 6 in thepiano 1 of the invention is provided for actuating the keys to he playedby electrical means whereas the actual control means in the form ofindividual switch means, as hereinafter described in detail, aremanually played so that the actual playing of the present piano is acombination of manual and electrical actuations in nearly all instances.

The piano action used in the piano 1 is of a conventional construction,one example of which is shown in U.S. Patent No. 2,073,463.

In each of several octaves on the piano individual solenoid means areprovided for actuation of such keys by use of individual manually closedswitches associated with and connected in circuit with the solenoids forplaying or actuation of such keys, specifically to play keys that are inharmony with a chord played on the control octave of the piano 1, ashereinafter described in more detail. To this end, individual solenoidseach including a solenoid coil 59 and an armature 60 are associated witheach of these keys in the run octaves of the piano 1 and the armature 69is directly secured to a key. Hence as the individual solenoid isenergized, the armature 60, which extends downwardly from one of thekeys 3 or 4 on the piano 1 in the octaves with which the run playingmechanism is associated, is sharply pulled into the solenoid coil sothat the key to which such armature 6% is secured is played. The actualwire in the solenoid coil 59 is wound upon a substantially conventionalinsulation form or cylinder 61 received in a suitable recess 62 or d3provided in the frame 2 immediately below each of the keys. The recesses62 are in the upper front portion of the frame 2; for receiving solenoidcoils therein for engaging the armature 60 secured to the white keys ofthe piano, whereas the black keys have full recesses 63 providedtherebelow spaced from the front portion of the frame 2 for receivingthe solenoid coil 59 therein.

It should be noted that the bores 64 in the cylinder 61 are appreciablylarger in diameter than the outer diameter of the armature as so thatslight arcuate movement of the armature 60 is permitted within the bore64 because of the pivotal action of the key to which the solenoidarmature 60 is secured, when played. It also should be noted, as a minorfeature of the present invention, that the solenoid forms 61 areslightly adjustably positioned in the frame 2. Members, such as screws65, loosely extend through apertures in but engage end portions of thecylinder, or solenoid form 61 to permit slight adjustment of theposition of the armature coil 59 and thus of the bore 64 therein toinsure free movement of the solenoid armature to and from operativerelationship with the solenoid coil. The armature 6t) never contacts thecylinder 61 and thus provides quiet wear proof solenoid action whichdoesnt interfere with the piano playing and sound in any manner.

The cover 21 extending over the chord playing member 5 of the piano Inormally extends the entire length of the piano and, at a portion of thepiano having the run playing mechanism associated therewith, a pluralityof individual control switches 66 are positioned in transverse alignmentwith each other. The switches 66 extend up through a suitable slot oropening provided in the cover 21, with the actual electrical contactmeans for the normally open switch 66 being carried by a pair ofresilient contact arms 67 and 68, as best shown in FIG. 10. The contactarms 67 and 68 are of a resilient construction so that pushing down onan insulation button 6h secured to the upper portion of each of thesecontact arms 6'7 serves to close the contact between the arms 67 and 63temporarily and actuate a solenoid connected to and controlling playingof the key represented by each such individual switch as. Suitableleads, described hereinafter in detail, extend from the contact arms 67and 68 to supply energization to a given solenoid coil 59 for 8 thesolenoid of each key or keys for playing runs, arpeggios, or other pianoplaying actions dependent upon the energization of the proper solenoidsin the run playing octaves of the piano.

Electric Control Circuit In order to understand the exact correlation ofthe various features and mechanisms provided on the piano ll, referencenow is made to the details of the electric control circuit provided inthe piano. Referring now to the individual circuit leads required toprovide actuation for a chord in the general chord control unit,represented as 5' in FIG. 12, the contact arms 37 and 33 can beconsidered to be switches 37a which are individually connected in thecircuits for each key in the control octave. Thus individual leads 70,71, 72 etc., FIG. 11, extend from this chord control unit 5a to theindividual actuation coils of the solenoids previously described. Theopposite sides of each of the coils of these solenoids 44 are groundedas by a suitable connector '73 so that some of these solenoids 44- willbe actuated whenever the power supply switch 4-1 is closed and some ofthe individual switches 37a previously being individually closed, aspreviously described, to play any one or more of the desired keys in thecontrol octave to sound a note, or usually a chord therein.

A common power supply lead 74 also connects to the power lead 19 fromthe rectifier 13, and such lead 74 connects to a plurality of individualswitches 75, each one of which represents one key of the control octave.These switches 75, as shown in FIG. 5, each comprise a pair of normallyspaced, resilient contact arms 76 and 77 positioned immediately beloweach of the keys of the piano 1. The switches are so positioned andarranged as to be individually closed by playing or depressing theindividual keys in the control octave. A pair of leads 78 and 79; 78a,7% etc. connect to each one of the switches 75 and the different sets ofleads 78, 79; 73a, 7%; 73b, 7%, etc. forming part of a power circuit forthe musical notes indicated at C, C#, D etc. in the control octave inFIG. 12. It should be noted that the switches 75 can be associated withdesired parts of a piano action control for a key to be closed byactuation or playing of such key. The lead 79 in the circuit of the keyC below middle C has a connector lead 89 electrically connected theretoand extending longitudinally of the iano to supply power to leads 81,$2, 83 and 84 in the energization circuits of corresponding notes, C, inthe run octaves to have power supplied to the individual controlcircuits provided therefor whenever the key C in the control octave isplayed. Power flows to such leads 31 through 34 through the switch 75and other circuit means referred to hereinbefore. Corresponding leads tothose referred to hereinbefore connect the circuits for the C# keys, Dkeys, etc. to the equivalent notes in the run octave control circuitsand with such corresponding leads being indicated by the numerals StBa,86b, 81a, 81b, etc. Further tracing the circuit of the lead 81, forexample, it flows through one of the enabling switches 66 and throughthe solenoid coil 5% connected thereto to a ground lead 85 common to theindividual circuits for each of the keys in the run playing octaves ofthe piano. It should be noted that closing any of the individualswitches 66 provided in the piano 1 where energization circuits thereforhave not been provided through closing the equivalent enabling switch 75provided in the circuit of the key in the control octave correspondingto such other key will not produce any action in the run playing key byclosing the switch 66 therefor. FIG. 6 shows that the 12 common leads84) through k are carried in a recess provided in the top of the frame 2below the keys so that a minimum of wires are used and such wires areneatly positioned in a conventional piano frame.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the person playing the pianocan produce a run or arpeggios on the piano in harmony with a givenchord played in the control octave by manually running his hand orfingers over all of the aligned switches 66 to depress them andtemporarily close the energization circuits for keys in these variousrun playing octaves corresponding to the keys in the chord being playedin the control octave.

Sustaining Hold Means Yet a further feature of the piano 1 is that avery unusual and striking playing effect can be provided on the piano bymeans of a certain apparatus for sustaining or holding a chord in thecontrol octave of the piano while also retaining keys in harmonytherewith in the other octaves of the piano energized for some time. Bysuch apparatus, the person playing the piano can have both hands freefor a strumming action on the series of contacts, or switches 66 toprovide a sounding of several harmonics of a given chord at the sametime to produce a harp-like effect in the playing of the piano and thetones produced therefrom.

The sustaining feature of the piano 1 includes a multicontact control,gang, sostenuto or sustaining switch 86. Such control switch 86 has acommon plunger or shaft 87 therein with 12 longitudinally spacedcontacts 83 being secured thereto and insulated therefrom. Thesecontacts 88 are positioned to engage conventional terminal means, orcontacts so as to close circuits between the various leads '79, 79a, 7%etc. which connect to the sustaining switch 86, and corresponding leads179, 179a, 17% etc. in the individual power circuits of the keys in thecontrol octave extending from the sustaining switch 86. Thus by opening,or closing the sustaining switch 86, 12 in dividual circuits areestablished through such control switch, or else all of such circuitsare opened dependent upon whether or not a sustaining action is desiredfor a chord being played in the control octave. These leads 1'79, 179aetc. extend from the multi-contact unitary sustaining switch 86 toconnect to the solenoid coils 44 of the various individual solenoids.

In action, initially a chord is played in the control octave by eitheractuation of one of the control buttons 2%, or else the keys in thecontrol octave are manually depressed or played so that the switches 75corresponding to the keys, of such played chord, are closed. This inturn supplies power to the leads extending to one side of the contacts88 in the sustaining switch 86 so that if the contacts 88 are closed,power will then flow through such contact switch to the energizationcoils for the solenoids 44 to the ground lead 73 to retain the solenoids44 energized and hold any keys corresponding to the energized solenoidsdepressed. Such maintenance of the keys depressed in the control octavemaintains power supply to the individual circuits of the keys in theother, or run playing octaves of the piano that correspond to the keysactuated or played in the control octave. As indicated, the player atthe same time has both hands free for running up and down the series ofthe switches 66 to provide the very unusual and desirable harp-likeeffect in the playing of the piano 1.

As previously indicated, any desired number of the solenoids 44 can beprovided to provide mechanical playing action on all of the keys in thecontrol octave and on the keys of a bass octave for playing bass chordsor individual bass keys in the piano 1.

In some instances, it may be desirable to provide energization of theleads 80, 80a, 8011, etc. by other means than the switches 75 that areoperatively associated with and closed by playing the keys in thecontrol octave of the piano. For example, such leads 80 through 80kmight connect to leads 70, 71 etc. respectively, and be energizedthereby by the playing of a chord through the chord control member orunit 5 of the invention. In such instance, it would be desirable toretain a given chord play button 20 in a depressed position to maintainenergization of these leads 80 through 10 k in the circuits thereofcorresponding to the notes played in a given chord in the controloctave.

Furthermore, the leads iii through Silk could be en ergized through thechord playing buttons 20 by connecting the leads 70, 71, 72 etc. to theleads 8t 8%, 8011 etc. respectively, to supply power to the individualkey circuits of the run playing octaves with or without any electricallyactuated playing of the keys of the control octave. The solenoids 44might be omitted in such modification, and the chord play buttons 20preferably would stay depressed until manually raised.

It should be realized that the chord playing means of the piano 1 may beseparately applied thereto, if desired, and that the run playing meansmay comprise a separate unit but for best action and results the use ofboth chord and run playing means in a piano is preferred. The runplaying switches 66 and octave coupler means could be assembled as aunit that could be attached to a base part of the front of the frame 2,or could rest on the floor so that the player could produce runs orarpeggios by one of his feet and still have both hands free for pianoplaying action. Such switch unit could even be made ad justable to beplaced on the piano at the front of the keyboard as shown in thedrawings, or to be placed on the fioor for playing by foot.

It will be realized that the links 48 and 49 are a part of aconventional piano action means, as previously re ferred to herein, andextend up to and are controlled by, or control actuation of one of thekeys 3 or 4 of the piano. The link 49 may extend directly to andcontrol, or be what is called the whip portion of the piano action.

Note that the chord playing buttons 23 can have suitable identificationmeans provided thereon or suitable markings can be provided inassociation with such chord playing keys for identifying the chord orkey played by an individual chord playing button 20. Usually one row ofbass buttons, second from back, plays the tonic or first degree of thescale. The adjacent bass note in the first row next to the piano frameplays the third degree of the scale making possible the convenientplaying of chromatic scales in the bass. In general, the keyboard andnotes played by the individual buttons 20 are the same as those playedon standard accordion keyboards. However, by varying the positioning andnumber of the fingers 23, 24 etc. on the shafts 22;, any desired chordor key may be played by any button.

It will be realized that the piano 1 of the invention can be used in aconventional manner, or the player may merely play the melody of a songwith his right hand in the usual manner. Then with his left hand, theplayer may provide the accompanying chord harmony or bass harmony by useof the chord playing means or member 5. The proper chord button 2% canbe selected by re ferring to the chord symbols which are usuallyprovided on sheet music as printed today. It is therefore unnecessary toread the left hand bass staff notes on the music sheet.

Playing the piano 1 of the invention is not entirely a mechanicaloperation such as one has or uses when pumping or playing a playerpiano, or playing a phonograph, as the performer may select the harmonyand chords that he desires to use, and he normally must play the melodywith his right hand. Hence knowledge of the fundamentals of music isdesirable and the learning of such fundamentals of music is facilitatedby playing the piano of the invention and realizing the action producedby given chords. Furthermore, the player can close the sustaining switch86 and obtain the very unusual harp- .like effect at any desired time byrunning both hands up and down the series of aligned keys d6 when anunusual run or hold action is desired in the piano. Hence, the playercan really achieve a true feeling of creativeness and he secures afeeling of accomplishment, but he can secure very desirable andeffective piano playing action I l ing, and the hours of study of chordconstruction as are required in the playing of a completelyconventional, manually actuated piano.

Twelve additional leads 3%, 9t), 91 etc. are shown connecting to andextending from the chord control or play unit shown in FIG. 11. Theseleads 8?, 9h, 91 etc. extend to the coils of the solenoids forcontrolling the individual notes in the bass octave of the piano.Preferably the indivdual control circuits for each of these keys in thebass octave are directly closed by means of the individual push buttonsEli and the control shaft 22 secured thereto. Thus FIG. 14 of theinvention shows a fragmentary view of how the lower end of the shaft 22for the bass control buttons can directly engage a spring contact arm 2to force such contact arm 92 down into engagement with a similar contactarm 93 positioned thereadjacent. Hence a circuit can be directly closedto one of the leads 89 9d, 91 etc. by the individual switch meansindicated by the numeral 94 and made from individual pairs of thecontact arms 92 and 93 provided in the energization circuit for each ofthe bass playing keys in the chord control member 5. A typical switch94, such as is diagrammatically illustrated in HQ. 11 thus is providedin each energization circuit for a bass note.

PEG. 9 shows that an adjustment stud 95, or equivalent can be positionedin a lock nut suitably secured to the piano frame 2 immediately adjacentand below the spring contact arm By adjusting the position of the stud95, the setting of the switch 37a can be varied and proper closingaction thereof can be obtained by a limited vertical movement of thecontrol shaft 22 in association with such switch for a positive switchclosing action to play a selected bass key.

It should be realized that if only one key is to be played by thecontact buttons it? in the chord playing member 5 of the invention, thenit would not be necessary to connect the circuits for such individualkey energization circuits through the common power supply switch 41provided in the apparatus and only one control finger would need to beprovided on the particular shaft 22 for such bass note playing button.Twelve bars, like the bars 33, and similar associated means, as isconventional in accordion controls, may be provided to actuate the basskeys, if desired.

A plurality of foot pedals 1% can be provided on the piano 1 and theycan be used for their conventional actions in the piano, or one of thesepedals can be used to provide a control for the sustaining controlswitch 86 which normally is spring actuated to snap it to an openposition when any pressure applied thereto is withdrawn.

It will be realized that any desired springs can be assembled inassociation with the control shafts 22 to aid in returning the chordcontrol buttons to inoperative positions. In some instances, thesolenoids 44 could be smaller in size, like the solenoids 59 shown foruse in the run playing mechanism of the piano ll. Thus these solenoids44 would then be positioned, in the manner as the solenoids 59, directlyin recesses provided in the frame 2 for the piano ll. As indicated, thearmatures 60 for the solenoids 59 are secured in any suitable manner tothe keys 3 and 4 and extend therefrom at least substantiallyperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the key.

While FIG. 7 shows one manner in which the solenoid actuating means ofthe invention can be positioned to strike a portion of the piano actionmembers for effecting key operation, it should be realized that othercontact can be made with the piano action mechanism for producing apiano key playing action. It also should be realized that the connectorrods 47 as shown in FIG. 7 preferably are received in slots or otherretaining means (not shown) in the upper shelf 52 of the frame 45 toretain such connector rods in desired vertically extending positionswith limited lateral movement thereof. Of course, the solenoid 44- isadapted to pull the solenoid armature 46 vertically upwardly from theposition shown in FIG. 7 when is such solenoid is energized to producekey striking action.

In general, it will be seen that the playing of the chord control keysin the control octave will enable one to play a desired run in harmonywith such chord by the means shown. It also should be understood thatthe notes in the bass octave played by the use of the chord controlbuttons may either be musically immediately next to the note ending thelowest portion of the control octave, or else such bass notes and octavecould be spaced several keys or more on the keyboard away from suchcontrol octave.

A conventional several position switch, indicated at 97, may be providedin an exposed portion of the piano 1 to control the particular one ofthe switches 16, 17 or 13 which is closed to control the loudness of thetone output from the piano 1.

FIG. 4 of the drawings shows some of the leads 82, 82:2, 82 etc. thatare used in the individual circuits for the run playing solenoids 59,but other of such leads are not shown to avoid complexity in thedrawing.

FIGS. 10 and 13 of the drawings best show certain details of a furtherfeature of the invention comprising a novel octave coupler provided inthe piano of the invention. A non-conductive contact bar 93 is shownslidably positioned in a support arm or bracket 99, one of which ispositioned adjacent each end of the bar 98 that extends the length ofthe row of the contacts es. At each end of this bar 93, a solenoidarmature 1% is secured to the bar and it is operatively associated witha solenoid coil lltll operatively carried by the piano frame 2 so thatthese solenoids, indicated by the numeral 192, when energized, will pullthe contact bar 93 up against the lower ones of all of the contact arms68 to force them against the contact arms 67 and close these switches.Hence, at such time when any playing is performed, or provided on thecontrol octave, the switches '75, which are operatively associated withthe individual keys of the control octave in any suitable position to beclosed by the playing of their control key, will immediately energizecorresponding keys in all of the various run playing octaves in thepiano. By use of the electric circuit means of the invention and theunitary multiple circuit closing member or bar 93, I can, for example,play melodies in the control octave manually and obtain a simultaneousplaying of the melody in the various other octaves in the run portion ofthe apparatus so that yet another desirable playing feature is providedin this piano of the invention.

The solenoids Hi2 may have a direct power control switch 103 providedtherefor, as shown in the wiring diagram in FIG. 12, so that closingsuch switch 103 will effect actuation of the solenoids 102 and permitand provide coupled octave playing melody in the piano, as described.

The term harmony is broadly used in the specification and claims tocover notes differing by an octave as well as other combinations ofconsonant notes.

In view of the foregoing, it is believed that all of the objects havebeen achieved by the novel piano of the invention describedhereinbefore.

The present application is a division of my co-pending application,Serial No. 794,902, filed February 24, 1959.

While one complete embodiment of the invention has been disclosedherein, it will be appreciated that modification of this particularembodiment of the invention may be resorted to without departing fromthe scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In combination with a piano having keys and piano action means withlinks therein,

individual solenoids including coils and armatures for each key of acontrol octave in the piano, a said armature for a said coil beingpositioned on the axis thereof and at one end of but within said coilwhen such coil is not energized,

electric power supply means,

circuit means individually connecting said solenoids to said powersupply means,

frame means for said solenoid coils and on which they are secured,

said solenoid coils being positioned in a plurality of horizontal rowsthat are in vertical alignment on said frame means below the keys of thepiano,

coupler means individually secured to said armatures and extendingforwardly and upwardly therefrom to a point adjacent said links, and

resilient link striking arms individually secured to each of saidcoupler means and extending to positions immediately below a linkcontrolling a key represented by a said solenoid, the center axis of asaid solenoid being on the axis of movement of a said link to cause apiano key to be played when its said solenoid is energized to lift thesaid armature therefor.

2. In a piano,

the combination comprising a plurality of actions severally havingmovable elements arranged in juxtaposition,

a plurality of solenoids each wider than a piano key severallyoperatively associated with certain of said elements,

said solenoids being arranged in several vertically aligned rowsextending transversely below said certain elements, with the solenoidsin each row being arranged in juxtaposition and laterally staggered withrespect to the solenoid means arranged in another row, and each solenoidincluding a vertically movable armature rod positioned for movementparallel to the axis of its said solenoid, and a striking headresiliently connected to said rod, and each striking head being spacedbelow the corresponding one of said certain elements and arranged tomove upwardly to strike said corresponding element when its solenoid isenergized.

3. In a piano having a piano action including a movable link member, anda key for actuating said piano action, the combination therewith of asupport bar spaced below said link member, a solenoid positionedadjacent said link member and including a reciprocable armature, avertically movable link striking head resiliently supported on said barand arranged below said link member, a coupling member connecting saidhead and armature, and means for energizing said solenoid to cause saidarmature and coupling member to lift said head to strike said linkmember and move the same to actuate said piano action, and fordeenergizing said solenoid to cause said head to be lowered out ofcontact with said link member and onto said supporting bar, said headbeing at all times in spaced relation to said link member except whensaid solenoid is energized, whereby said piano action when actuated bymanipulation of said key is free from interference by said head.

4. In a piano,

the combination comprising a plurality of actions severally havingmovable elements arranged in juxtaposition,

a plurality of solenoid means each including a coil with a vertical axisand an armature means severally operatively associated with certain ofsaid elements,

said solenoid means being arranged in more than one row with its saidcoil being arranged in juxtaposition and staggered with respect to thecoil of solenoid means arranged in another row, and each solenoid meansincluding movable substantially J-shaped armature rod means secured tosaid armature means and extending to a point upwardly thereof, andstriking means connected to the upper end of said armature rod means,

each of said striking means being spaced from the corresponding one ofsaid certain elements and arranged to move to strike said correspondingelement when its solenoid is energized, said certain element having avertical operation axis directly aligned with the axis of itsoperational solenoid.

5. In a piano,

the combination comprising a plurality of actions severally havingmovable elements arranged in juxtaposition,

a plurality of solenoid means each including a coil with a vertical axisand an armature means severally operatively associated with certain ofsaid elements,

said solenoid means being arranged in more than one row with its saidcoil being arranged in juxtaposition and staggered with respect to thecoil of solenoid means arranged in another row, and each solenoid meansincluding armature rod means secured to said armature means andextending to a point upwardly thereof, and striking means operativelysecured to the upper end of said armature rod means and extending to apoint adjacent and below the corresponding one of said certain elements,and

each of said striking means being spaced from said corresponding one ofsaid certain elements and arranged to move to strike said correspondingelement when its solenoid is energized, said certain element having avertical operation axis directly aligned with the axis of itsoperational solenoid, each said armature means being positioned withinits said coil when said coil is not energized to obtain maximum pull onsaid armature means at the commencement of movement thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS730,098 Davis June 2, 1903 898,218 Hart Sept. 8, 1908 1,107,495 ColemanAug. 18, 1914 1,603,871 Sandell Oct. 19, 1926 2,073,463 Dasenbrook Mar.9, 1937 2,919,619 Munzfeld Jan. 5, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 14,637 GreatBritain 1907 228,608 Great Britain Feb. 5, 1925

1. IN COMBINATION WITH A PIANO HAVING KEYS AND PIANO ACTION MEANS WITHLINKS THEREIN, INDIVIDUAL SOLENOIDS INCLUDING COILS AND ARMATURES FOREACH KEY OF A CONTROL OCTAVE IN THE PIANO, A SAID ARMATURE FOR A SAIDCOIL BEING POSITIONED ON THE AXIS THEREOF AND AT ONE END OF BUT WITHINSAID COIL WHEN SUCH COIL IS NOT ENERGIZED, ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLY MEANS,CIRCUIT MEANS INDIVIDUALLY CONNECTING SAID SOLENOIDS TO SAID POWERSUPPLY MEANS, FRAME MEANS FOR SAID SOLENOID COILS AND ON WHICH THEY ARESECURED, SAID SOLENOID COILS BEING POSITIONED IN A PLURALITY OFHORIZONTAL ROWS THAT ARE IN VERTICAL ALIGNMENT ON SAID FRAME MEANS BELOWTHE KEYS OF THE PIANO, COUPLER MEANS INDIVIDUALLY SECURED TO SAIDARMATURES AND EXTENDING FORWARDLY AND UPWARDLY THEREFROM TO A POINTADJACENT SAID LINKS, AND RESILIENT LINK STRIKING ARMS INDIVIDUALLYSECURED TO EACH OF SAID COUPLER MEANS AND EXTENDING TO POSITIONSIMMEDIATELY BELOW A LINK CONTROLLING A KEY REPRESENTED BY A SAIDSOLENOID, THE CENTER AXIS OF A SAID SOLENOID BEING ON THE AXIS OFMOVEMENT OF A SAID LINK TO CAUSE A PIANO KEY TO BE PLAYED WHEN ITS SAIDSOLENOID IS ENERGIZED TO LIFT THE SAID ARMATURE THEREFOR.